A spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan issued a statement saying the UN leader is following “with utmost concern” the events unfolding in the Melnikov Street theatre in Moscow and extends his heartfelt sympathy to the Government and people of the Russian Federation.

“[The Secretary-General] urges the perpetrators to release all the hostages immediately and without pre-conditions,” the statement said. “No cause can justify the use of force against innocent civilians.”

Meanwhile, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Sergio Vieira de Mello, also condemned the hostage incident. “Hostage taking, wherever and by whomever committed, is an illegal act aimed at the destruction of human rights and is, whatever the cause, unjustifiable,” he said. “Human rights must be respected at all times and by everyone.”